Know Your Roof
Gutter and Downspout Terms Explained
Gutters and downspouts carry roof water away from your fascia and your foundation. These guides cover the common gutter styles and the parts that move the water.
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Gutters guides
Gutter Apron
A gutter apron is a strip of metal flashing along the roof edge that guides water off the shingles and into the gutter, so it doesn't run down behind it onto the fascia. It's a type of drip edge with a longer lip that reaches out over the gutter.
K-Style Gutters
K-style gutters have a flat back and a front shaped like stair steps or crown molding, so the end looks like the letter K. They're the most common gutter on American homes. They hold more water than a half-round gutter of the same width, and they come in several materials.
Half-Round Gutters
Half-round gutters look like a pipe cut in half lengthwise, a smooth curved trough. They're the traditional gutter on older and historic homes. The smooth, rounded bottom sheds debris well, but they carry less water than a K-style gutter of the same width.
Downspout
A downspout is the vertical pipe that carries water from your gutter down the side of the house and away from the foundation. The gutter collects the water and the downspout is the way out. A clogged, undersized or badly placed downspout is a common reason gutters overflow and basements get wet.
Key terms in this topic
- Aluminum Gutters
- The most common gutter material. Doesn't rust, and seamless gutters are normally aluminum.
- Copper Gutters
- Metal gutters that weather to a green patina and last a long time.
- Downspout Bracket
- The strap that holds a downspout to the wall.
- Downspout Elbow
- An angled piece that jogs a downspout around the overhang or turns it out at the bottom.
- Downspout Extension
- A pipe or flexible tube that carries water farther from the foundation.
- Downspout Size (2x3 vs 3x4)
- The opening of the pipe in inches. The 3x4 size moves more water.
- Drop Outlet
- The opening and fitting where the downspout connects to the gutter.
- End Cap
- The piece that closes off the end of a gutter run.
- Galvanized Steel Gutters
- Stronger metal gutters that can rust where the coating gets scratched.
- Gutter Cleaning
- Removing leaves and debris so water reaches the downspouts.
- Gutter Guard
- A cover or screen that keeps leaves out while letting water in. Also called a leaf guard.
- Gutter Hanger
- The bracket that holds a gutter to the fascia. Hidden hangers clip inside the trough.
- Gutter Overflow
- Water spilling over the front edge, usually from clogs, a bad pitch or too few downspouts.
- Gutter Pitch
- The slight slope toward the downspout that keeps water draining instead of standing.
- Gutter Sealant
- Waterproof compound used at joints, end caps and outlets.
- Gutter Size (5-inch vs 6-Inch)
- The width of the trough. The 6-inch size holds and moves more water.
- Inside and Outside Corners
- The pieces that join two gutter runs where the roof edge turns.
- Rain Chain
- A decorative chain or cup set that guides water down in place of a downspout.
- Sagging Gutter
- A gutter pulling away from the fascia, often from loose hangers, rotted fascia or weight from debris.
- Seamless Gutters
- Gutters formed on site from one roll of metal, so there are no seams along the straight runs. Fewer joints, fewer places to leak.
- Spike and Ferrule
- An older mounting method with a long nail through a tube inside the gutter. It can work loose over time.
- Splash Block
- A block at the foot of a downspout that carries water away from the foundation, like a downspout extension.
- Underground Drain Line
- A buried pipe that carries downspout water out to the yard or street.
- Vinyl Gutters
- Snap-together plastic gutters that can turn brittle in cold weather.
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